Sexual harassment by employers is illegal in Oklahoma

Posted By
Mazaheri Law Firm

The late 20th and early 21st centuries have seen many changes in American
society. While technology has increased at a seemingly exponential rate,
changes in social norms and beliefs have also occurred. Although these
social reforms have come more slowly, it is clear that progress has been
made on many fronts in the fight for equality for all people. Unfortunately,
problems still exist and, when they occur, they can cause great harm to
those involved.

While the equality of women in the workplace has advanced, the issues of
discrimination and harassment have not gone away. While it is important
to note that the laws regarding sexual harassment apply to both men and
women, it is traditionally women who have faced the brunt of such behavior.
This is because men have long been the ones in the positions of power
in the world of American business and, many times, sexual harassment is
used as a way of wielding or exploiting that power. Anyone familiar with
the television series "Mad Men" can attest to the fact that,
not so long ago, sexual jokes, comments and other demeaning behavior was
perfectly acceptable in companies large and small.

Unfortunately, there is still a subset of employers and co-workers who
think that it is perfectly reasonable to subject others in a professional
setting to comments, stares and even touches that are offensive, humiliating
or intimidating. Luckily, contemporary legal structures do provide some
recourse. As we have touched on before, it is illegal under both federal
and Oklahoma law for an employer to make hiring or advancement contingent
on any kind of sexual behavior, as well as retaliating against employees
who don't go along with or those who report harassment by anyone in
the organization, whether boss or co-worker.

However, as we have also noted in the past, dealing with the governmental
entities that investigate and determine the validity of many of these
claims can be daunting. Further, there are steps that often need to be
taken before litigation can be filed. That is why those who face sexual
harassment may want to consult an experienced Oklahoma employment law
attorney. If you have questions about sexual harassment or any other employment-based
claim, you are invited to view our web page for more information.